Is Your Peri-Menopause Coming From
Adreno-Pause?
Lori Horan, N.D., L.Ac.
“I’ve been pushing myself past my fatigue since my kids were little. I do what needs to be done, without questioning whether I have the energy to do it,” admits Carole, a 48-year-old mother of four and owner of a home-based business. “But now my night-sweats are disturbing my sleep enough that I can’t push myself like I used to.”
The prime sign of adrenal exhaustion is relentless, debilitating fatigue. Carole is learning the hard way that women in a state of adrenal exhaustion can get “adreno-pause” and are at a distinct disadvantage when they near menopause. The adrenal glands secrete key the hormones DHEA and cortisol. These hormones give us energy and help us deal with stress in life. Since we make estrogen and testosterone from DHEA, low levels of DHEA can impact menopausal symptoms as the sex hormones begin to change. Low levels intensify night sweats and trigger mood and sleep disorders. Cortisol secretion increase when we are in the “fight or flight” mode and lead to bone loss, muscle loss, water retention, blood sugar spiking and weight gain. Furthermore, it can decrease production of melatonin resulting in sleep disturbance.
After supplementing with DHEA, Carole now she feels much better and has fewer night sweats, improved sleep and stronger energy. If you are also in a habit of pushing your body to keep going when you are fatigued, you may be in the process of weakening the hormone production of your adrenals. If you are peri-menopausal, this may be a good time to be tested for adreno-pause.